* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinions or positions from HighClub.
It seems every stoner has experienced a bad trip or two during their time. Over the years, I’ve learned some of the best ways for me to counteract the negative effects of cannabis during
I use the following methods to recover from the effects of cannabis. It’s important to note that I’ve tried out all the methods myself and that I can confirm that they work – at least on me.
I have experimented with these methods due to their underlying mechanisms, which seemed to make sense and worked effectively.
Each of my recommended methods has a unique way of counteracting the negative effects of cannabis, quickening your recovery.
To come up with these methods, I had to pay close attention to changes in my brain. By paying attention to such changes, it is easier to discover the chemicals that could counteract them. Upon realizing their effectiveness, I set out to discover why they were so successful.
How to counteract the negative effects of cannabis
1-2) Forskolin and exercise
One of the side effects of cannabis is that its receptors (both CB1 and CB2) inhibit adenylate cyclase (R) as they cause a decline in cyclic AMP.
Cyclic AMP is responsible for a number of processes in your body, such as cognitive performance and energy levels. While exercise is the best lifestyle approach to boosting cyclic AMP, it can happen that you sometimes feel sluggish or too lazy to hit the gym and this is where Forskolin comes into the picture.
It’s a supplement that increases cyclic AMP, while combating the negative effects of weed.
Whenever I smoke weed, I tend to be more tired in the morning and more energized at night, which often results in me going to bed very late at night. This shows that cannabis affects my circadian rhythm.
Cyclic AMP helps to adjust the circadian rhythm.
When I take Forskolin after waking up, it reduces the negative effects caused to the circadian rhythm.
There is no doubt that cannabinoids reduced the ability of the circadian clock to control the ‘phase advance’.
Forskolin is also known to increase the levels of thyroid hormones that are usually depleted by cannabis.
3) Caffeine
Caffeine tends to cut the effects of cannabis with regards to cognitive function.
When CB1 receptors work with Adenosin 2a receptors, you get into a trance-like state. Blocking the Adenosin 2a receptors with caffeine takes you out of the trance-like status caused by pot.
In my case, I’ve experienced how caffeine can counteract the negative effects of cannabis.
This is why drinking caffeine a day after consuming weed doesn’t seem to make me tired or anxious. I believe it’s something to do with CB1 receptors lowering the level of glutamate in the striatum. They do so by activating the A2a receptors. Caffeine, however, increases the level striatal glutamate and dopamine as it blocks the A2a receptors.
4-5) Galantamine and nicotine
Once you smoke cannabis, your working memory is not as good as it was before and there’s a reason for this.
THC, CBD and anandamide block the Alpha 4b2 and Alpha 7 nicotic receptors.
These receptors are known to help with working memory (RRR). The job of galantamine and nicotine is to activate these receptors. When taking nicotine a day after consuming cannabis, you’ll realize that it restores the cognitive decline necessitated by the consumption of cannabis.
6) Pregnenolone
Simply put, pregnenolone is the steroids of the brain.
THC increases its levels through CB1 receptors. When this happens, it prevents cognitive harm and this explains why there are barely any cannabis overdoses.
Pregnenolone helps to limit the negative effects of cannabis, including addiction and on cognitive function. When Pregnenolone synthesis was inhibited in a lab, it increased THC induced sluggishness in mice.
Pregnenolone also tends to cut the increased food intake brought about by THC in rats and stops memory impairment in THC-injected lab mice.
Pregnenolone also reduced the inhibitory effect of THC in order to release glutamate in the Nucleus Accumbens (R). While Pregnenolone influenced behavioural and cellular effects of THC, it also reduced its addictive properties. It did this by reducing the level of dopamine increase in the Nucleus Accumbens in rats and in the VTA.
Furthermore, THC induces decreases mitochondrial and cellular respiratory and Pregnenolone reduces such decreases without affecting the reduction of cyclic AMP production, also induced by THC.
It also inhibits MAPK and ERK 1.2(R), which means you’ll need to take Forskolin.
It’s interesting to note that Pregnenolone is used to treat schizophrenia whereas cannabis induces the symptoms of schizophrenia and psychosis.
7) LLLT on thyroid
Weed is known to decrease the release of thyroid hormones. If you have a problematic thyroid, you can use LLLT on it to increase the thyroid hormones. I use LLLT on my thyroid for 15 minutes.
8) Sun
Orally consumed THC has a half-life of 25-36. The sun’s UV rays speed up the conversion of THC to cannabinol (CBN), a much weaker compound in comparison to THC.
9) Sun or LLLT on your testes
THC is known to decrease the level of testosterone in your system. LLLT, when placed on your testes, helps to increase testosterone levels.
The sun is also known to have the same effect.
For me, LLLT works just fine. I place it on my testes until the device gets too heated.
While this doesn’t bring significant effects like other methods, it’s my way of ensuring my testosterone levels are okay.
